Second Chances at Samphire Bay (Samphire Bay Village #1)

Chapter 35

Autumn had fully arrived, turning Samphire Bay’s trees russet gold and the hedgerows sparce. The sand was cool and damp, while the bay ran icier and wilder. The shift of season acted as a warning, a foreboding to the changes Samphire Bay was to experience.

Bunty, with the help of not only Robin and Jack, but Perry, Jasmine and Emma too, had managed her move as seamlessly as possible. The angst Bunty had expected to be overwhelmed by had been replaced with distraction. It had been such a hectic, but productive day and she couldn’t have done it without them. Having her close friends to oversee the move was infinitely better than an impersonal removal firm. Bunty couldn’t bear for her precious belongings to be handled by total strangers. Instead, she had a loving team to aid her, which put everything into perspective. Relationships were what mattered. Not bricks and mortar, or possessions, but real friends who cared.

This had been Bunty’s mantra, as she locked the door for the last time and walked down the stone steps. She turned for one final look at her family home. Her eyes cast up to the balcony, leading from the master bedroom where she’d been born. A whole lifetime spent there – and yet she knew it was time to go. This stunning house was about to be a new home for another person. Its curved rooms, nooks and crannies she wished would hold future fond memories for other families. Whoever the new owner was, Bunty dearly hoped he had a family to fill the house with love.

Her mood remained positive and almost upbeat when reaching the snug cottage awaiting patiently. Her mind was set to rest, knowing it had been totally revamped with care. No botch jobs here, everything had been lovingly restored to the highest standard. Directing where all the boxes being carried in had to go, she already felt at home. Bunty had chosen the attic room for her bedroom. The skylight in the roof would still give her a panoramic view of the bay, which was imperative for her. One of the bedrooms she had decided would act as a mini library-cum-study and was where her father’s bureau had been placed. She’d also brought all the family’s books, including her cherished childhood editions. Robin had promised to make bookcases to line the walls, complete with a rail track for a little ladder to run across, just like the one they’d had at her old home.

The new kitchen diner was a dream to Bunty. Instead of a large, cold place filled with nostalgic, aged furnishings, she loved the new streamlined appliances. It was all so easy and practical. A part of her wondered why she hadn’t made the move earlier.

Seeing Bunty adapt so well to her new surroundings had been a comfort to her merry band of helpers.

‘It looks like she feels at home already,’ Perry murmured to Jasmine, as they unpacked crockery from the boxes.

‘Careful with that!’ shouted Bunty, seeing him lift up a fine bone China teapot.

‘Well, she’s certainly in control,’ replied Jasmine. ‘I’m just glad she’s not in tears,’ she whispered.

‘She’s made of stern stuff is Bunty,’ he winked.

All in all, the day had gone well. Bunty had thanked everyone profusely with the promise of a house-warming party. After waving them off, she and Perry had a celebratory drink alone in the back garden. The patio set that had once stood on the balcony, was now by the rockery.

‘Here’s to your new home.’ Perry raised his glass.

Bunty clinked it against hers. Then her eye caught the anchor which Robin had retrieved from the trunk and placed in the rockery as a feature. She got up to inspect it closely.

‘Look,’ she said, pointing to it.

Perry joined her before crouching down to inspect it more closely.

‘It’s my anchor, the one you gave me,’ he said in awe. He ran his finger over the engraved B and P.

‘I know, after all this time,’ her chin wobbled and finally the tears came. It had been such an emotional day.

Perry reached out and wrapped her tightly into a warm hug. He stroked her hair, kissing her cheek.

‘It’s all right, Bunty. I’ll never leave you again,’ he huskily soothed.